Today I hold a speech about how I can help the Swedish companies to enter into the Chinese market in the area of market, business support, language and culture at Tre Sekel in Tibro. Many interesting companies participated and exchanged their ideas and experiences. A good start of the day!

I was honored to give my support during the delegation’s visit from Zhangjiakou and be the interpreter for the mutual discussion of a deeper collaboration between Skövde and Zhangjiakou. To contribute a successful bilateral cooperation within environment, industry and education between these two cities is my great passion and vision. I look forward to further challenges in these areas.

The year 2017 has passed with challenges, opportunities and great joy for me. In this year, I was honored to get to know many fantastic people who shared their knowledge, experience and stories that has extended my horizon which I am very grateful. Being able to contribute my clients’ business and see their success is the best gift and happiness for me. On the occasion of the Chinese New Year, I sincerely wish all of our clients, friends and business partners a happy, successful, healthy and prosperous Chinese New Year of the Dog! Look forward to a continuing fruitful collaboration!

Consumers pick up food from a supermarket in Shanghai on Jan 30.[Photo/China Daily]

Consumer Confidence Index or CCI will likely remain in positive territory in 2018, given the strong economic growth momentum and people’s expectation of better employment and higher income, according to Nielsen China.

In a report, Nielsen said the CCI rose sharply in 2017, ranging between 110 and 114 points, a relatively high level, indicating Chinese consumers’ strong confidence, optimism and positive attitude.

For the whole of 2017, the CCI reached 112 points, compared with 106 in 2016.

“Thanks to supply-side structural reforms, the innovation-driven development strategy has been deeply implemented. The country is continuously injecting new vitality to the healthy and sustainable development of economy,” said Vishal Bali, managing director of Nielsen China.

China’s GDP grew 6.9 percent in 2017 to 82.7 trillion yuan ($13 trillion), exceeding the official growth target of 6.5 percent. It was the first time in seven years that the annual figure rose, on the back of supply-side reforms.

“As the economic growth stabilizes, China’s CCI will remain on a steady growth path in the foreseeable future,” Bali said.

Liang Hong, chief economist of investment bank China International Capital Corporation (CICC), said in a research that the country’s GDP growth of this year will reach 6.9 percent.

“For the past four years, China’s domestic consumption has become a leading force driving economic growth, thanks to government efforts to restructure the economy,” Bali said. “Online shopping festival ‘Double Eleven’ (on Nov 11 or 11-11) and the Chinese New Year holiday in February further shore up consumer buying desire.”

Region-wise, the CCI in China’s east and south registered strong growth while that in the north was steady.

“The country’s new pattern of regional economic development was boosted, as effects of strategies like the Belt and Road Initiative, Yangtze River Economic Belt and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Coordinated Development unfolded. Regional reforms including the development of western region, the revitalization of old industrial bases in the northeast, the rise of the central region, also contributed to the new economic pattern,” said Bali.

Amid technological upgrade and quality-oriented economic expansion, rapid growth can be seen across fields like urban development and retail, he said.

Nielsen’s report shows 96 percent of Chinese consumers surveyed are more willing to pay via mobile phones. Also, the concept of New Retail, or a symbiotic mix of offline and online retail, has been quickly accepted in China.

And 45 percent of the manufacturers hold the view that New Retail will have a profound positive impact on the overall retail business, while 48 percent think New Retail will hurt the retail industry to a certain extent.

Recently I conducted an exciting interpreting assignment for a major manufacturing company with their important Chinese customer in Sweden. It is always positive to support our client with help and also have the great pleasure of contributing to a successful business that leads to a signed agreement for commissioning.

It is particularly important by making decisions that both partners understand each other without any misunderstanding. That’s the reason even an apparently simple discussion can end in distortion without the help from an interpreter. Especially when English is not always enough to reach everybody, an interpreter is almost an emergency to achieve success.

Shu Consulting has recently contributed to an export opportunity in China for a major vehicle automotive company in Sweden. Through proficient knowledge within trade and language, we took the project in a further development and the collaboration for other potentiell projects with client’s Chinese partner are planned in the near future.

Recently I have organized a workshop about the Chinese meeting technique for a well known company. It was a fantastic experience to share my knowledge to my client and see the development of the positiv collaboration with their Chinese partner. Workshop about the Chinese meeting technique creates new business opportunities. Please contact info@shuconsult.com for further information.

It was my great pleasure to be the interpreter for the start meeting of student exchange project between Västerhöjd in Skövde and Dayu High school in Beijing. Really exciting to see the positive development of this project that enables the students from both schools to have culture and knowledge exchange!

Our Chinese clients are searching business partners in the chemical and petrochemicalindustry, aerospaceindustry, medical technology, genetic engineering and environmental technology. If your company are interestedplease send an email to: info@shuconsult.com and we are looking forward to hearing from you!

It’s no surprise for anyone that the economic growth in China makes the country to become the world’s largest economy according to the IMF (International Monetary Fund) in September 2014 measured in purchasing power. That moves the country into the ranks of middle income countries and will have a profound effect worldwide.

But recently since last year, China’s economy grew at its slowest pace in 24 years as property prices dropped, companies and local governments struggled under heavy debt burdens, keeping pressure on central government to take serious steps to avoid a sharper downturn according to Reuters.

After roughly 30 years of GDP growth by 10%, now China’s GDP grew by 6.9% and the added-value industrial output grew by 6.2% in November 2015. China’s Foreign Direct Investment increased by 7.9 percent to USD 114.04 billion in the first eleven months of the year.

Exports from China declined by 6.8 percent to USD197.24 billion in November of 2015, the fifth straight month of fall, while imports to China dropped 8.7 percent to USD143.14 billion, following a 18.8 percent decline in October. It is the 13th straight month of decline, as a result of declining commodity prices and weak demand. Exports and Imports in China is reported by the General Administration of Customs.

How will the slower growth of China’s economy influence the European market and especially the Swedish companies’ investment in China?

This question is relevant for many Swedish organisations who are interested in the Chinese market. Recently I held a lecture for a Swedish bank in Skövde, the topic of the lecture was about the Chinese current economic situation and its impact for the Swedish companies and organizations who are going to trade or invest in China.

“The country’s period of miraculous break-neck growth is over, but let’s get over it,” said a commentary on the official Xinhua news service, referring to a long string of double-digit expansion.

China’s economic reforms must be implemented even if it becomes painful, stated Premier Minister Li Keqiang after the People’s Congress meeting in March. At the same time, it seems a new wave of cutbacks in state-owned enterprises will be on the way. Swedish companies have increased their use of RMB in their business with China in the last two years. Globally, the Chinese currency, standing before a breakthrough this year, according to the experts from Commercial Bank. Major changes in the regulatory framework is underway for foreign investment in China. It will be easier to establish companies in non-sensitive sectors of the economy while the control tightened in sectors such as telecommunications, energy and agriculture. The example of the free trade zone in Shanghai spread. Three new free trade zones should be set up in Guangdong, Fujian and Tianjin. It could increase with time. Most northern European and German companies expect higher sales in China this year, according to SEB’s latest survey.

China’s economic growth will probably continue for some time and, if it does, it is going to have a profound impact on the world’s economy.

According to “China Internet Watch”, Chinese online shoppers prefer to take advantage of the occasional promotions to buy imported goods; and, they also prefer imported goods at promotions, accounting for 65% of online FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) sales according to Bain & Company and Kantar Worldpanel research.

Online shoppers are very interested in imported goods and goods on sales, which is one of the biggest features of China online shopping. About 38% of online sales come from big online activities such as Double 11 and Double 12. Alibaba revenues reached 57.1 billion yuan (US$8.98 billion) on Double 11 2014, which set a record in history of online shopping. Imported products are also very popular on the internet, which accounts for about 40% of total online sales while offline only for about 10%.

China FMCG market grew by 5.4% in 2014; the growth three years ago was 11.8%. However, online FMCG sales grew by 34% in 2014. 60% of online retail sales came from newly created demand while 40% as replacement of offline sales.

The variety of FMCG goods Chinese consumers buy online are limited. Skin care products, baby formula milk powder and baby diapers, health-related, and easy delivered goods sell best online. Top ten popular online FMCG sales categories account for 77% of the total online sales while the offline only 43%.

Chinese consumers are likely to purchase overseas goods and luxury or upscale goods although sometimes that prices online are much higher than those offline. For example, the average price of toothbrushes online is 102% higher than that of offline, as well as beer and hair conditioner.

We always want to find people who can inspire us. Being able to share your story with others and having the strength and courage to be honest with yourself can give inspiration to those around you. Today I had the opportunity to tell my life’s journey from China to Sweden for students from different countries at the Folkuniversitet of Skövde. When I saw the students I reminded myself when I came to Sweden for around 17 years ago, who could not so much Swedish and everything was new for me. In the beginning my greatest desire was to master the language and find a job. My story made me think about what I had gone through in my life, from my study and career in China to my professional life in Sweden and how I became an entrepreneur. It was a long journey with lots of challenges, joy and learning. By showing them that I was comfortable with myself and confident about whom I am, and at the same time being passionate about my work can hopefully provide an example for them. My greatest wish to them is to believe in themselves and determine a plan to achieve in their life while maintaining a positive outlook.

I really hope that my story inspired the students at the Folkuniversitet of Skövde. What I took with me today is a great joy and a good time to being with them. I am convinced that they will succeed in their new country for any challenges that may arise. It was a fantastic day!

I was so pleased and honored to meet the delegation from South China yesterday in Stockholm. During the meeting we received information about the different sectors that our chinese counterpart are interested for collaboration with Swedish companies. We hope that this meeting is the begining of a sustainable cooperation between our Chinese partner with Swedish companies who will show the great interest. It is also my passion to provide assistance which will lead to a successful business journey.

Recently, I have just completed a Chinese Culture Awareness Training at a large company in Skovde. All participants showed great interest in this program. Evaluation and feedbacks I received was very positive which increased my interest to support Swedish companies to understand more about the Chinese business culture, mentality and their leadership. This can facilitate their cooperation with their Chinese partners.

Over the past two weeks, I held a Chinese cultural training at a large company in Skövde. After the training I received positive reviews and feedback from all of the participants. My cultural training highlighted issues about Chinese business culture, leadership and collaboration which was of great interest to this company. I hope that this cultural training will contribute positively to their cooperation with China.

Yesterday Iheld a lecture about China – The world’s most interesting market in Gothia Science Parkin Skövde.I receivedmany positivefeedbacks from the whole audience.It was fantastic to share my knowledge with people who are eager to learn about the Chinese market.

Foreign ecommerce companies will now be allowed to operate in Shanghai’s Free Trade Zone without needing a local partner.

An article published on 14th January on TECHINASIA that China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced, that the country is loosening regulations in its Shanghai Free Trade Zone, and will now permit wholly-foreign-owned companies to operate within that zone in the “online data processing” and “transaction handling” industries. The announcement specifically states that this includes ecommerce companies.

Until now, Chinese regulations have restricted foreign access to many technology-related industries, requiring foreign tech companies to form joint ventures with local partners to release their products in China. Even in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, those rules have persisted – they’re the reason Microsoft and Sony were both forced to choose local partners to launch their game consoles, for example. But today’s announcement opens the door completely for foreign ecommerce firms that would rather go it alone.

Of course, this new freedom is still just a trial run. MIIT’s announcement also asks Shanghai’s government to take care in guiding and overseeing foreign-owned companies taking advantage of the new rules. If things go poorly, MIIT might well shut the experiment down. And of course, there are often good reasons for foreign companies to choose a local partner even if it isn’t required by law: China’s ecommerce market is different from many others, and foreign companies that tried to go it alone in the internet’s early days failed pretty miserably.

Still, the change represents a pretty exciting opportunity for foreign ecommerce companies, even if China’s ecommerce market is already dominated by some pretty powerful players.

Today I have just finished a culture training by a company in Skövde. The feeling I gained from my client was fantastic. I really hope that this opportunity can give them useful information and insight about the Chinese business culture.

When we talk about doing business with China, most of us can relate this subject to the culture difference and how we should handle correctly in different business situations. In Sweden we are used to do business on purely commercial ground while Chinese focus mostly on the personal relationship which is called Guanxi. Without a well-established Guanxi with your Chinese counterpart, it is almost impossible to continue a business relationship. When a company’s goal is to succeed their business with their Chinese partner, it is crucial to understand the Chinese culture, history, mentality, the business background in the Chinese market.

China should be regarded more like a large continent than a country. Its business culture and history can differently explicate business concepts and systems which seem apparently similar or even identical to Western ideas. But in many areas, China has its distinctive traditions that affect every section of an enterprise, from complicated legal issues to the way that things should be done according to the Chinese tradition. Therefore to understand the uniqueness of China can avoid mistakes of misunderstanding the culture differences.

China is a fascinating nation and an attractive place to do business. The country provides the opportunity of a dynamic market with huge potential that allows companies and entrepreneurs freedom in establishing business from scratch. With its rapid development into a global economic and political power the world has ever seen, there are plenty business opportunities in this huge market, but it can also indicate a big challenge for the Swedish companies to enter.

I believe it is essential for business success to adapt the Swedish business strategy to the Chinese reality while carefully maintaining your own integrity.

According to CCTV News, Shanghai’s Pilot Free Trade Zone confirmed new international finance regulations on 1st August that are expected to be a significant boost to companies in the zone.

The Shanghai Free Trade Zone encourages cross-boarder cash flows. Because in the FTZ, companies are able to borrow RMB from the international marketplace, and that gives them lower costs and simpler operations.

The new FTZ regulations taking effect on 1st August allow businesses within the zone to finance offshore after simply filing out one document. They may borrow RMB in Hongkong, for example, at the Hong Kong interest rate of around 3%, which is about HALF the rate in the Chinese Mainland. It’s a big step for cross-border finance in China.

“The Regulations allow companies in the zone to borrow RMB overseas and use the money in the Free Trade Zone. Once these companies have registered Free Trade Accounts, the RMB they borrowed from other countries may even be used to supplement other businesses, even if they’re not in the Free Trade Zone.” Said professor He Xiaoyong, associate Director of Institute of China FTZ Law.Continue reading→

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